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Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Career Outlook

Elevate Your Earning Potential

According to research conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of counseling is expected to grow 22% by 2028 to create more than 68,000 new positions (1). With Sacred Heart University’s online master’s in clinical mental health counseling program, you’ll gain the necessary skills to advance your career, improve your earning potential and become a leader in this dynamic industry.

Developed with CACREP standards as a foundation, the program offers a curriculum that prepares students to meet the educational requirements for licensure in many states.

  • 21% Job Growth for Mental Health Counselors Between 2018 and 20281
  • 24% Job Growth for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors between 2018 and 20281
  • More than 68,000 New Positions by 20281

With an online Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree, you can pursue your passion of helping others and make a positive impact in the global community.

Designed for your professional achievement, Sacred Heart University’s online Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree delivers the expertise you need to succeed as a leader in your chosen career.

Mental Health Counselor:

In this position, you would develop treatment plans, suggest daily life changes and provide resource information to individuals struggling with diverse mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and more. Your role would involve hosting discussion sessions with individuals throughout the lifespan. This career is currently expanding at a rate of 21% per year and is expected to create more than 25,000 new positions by 20251.

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor:

As a professional in this role, you would host discussion sessions with individuals who are struggling with addiction and other behavioral issues, such as eating disorders. Your responsibilities would include developing treatment plans and providing resource information to individuals throughout the lifespan in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, mental health facilities and other diverse medical settings. This career is currently expanding at a rate of 24% per year and is expected to create more than 20,000 new positions by 20251.

Additional roles for graduates of the online master’s in clinical mental health counseling program:

  • Substance abuse counselor
  • Adoption counselor
  • Detention center counselor

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Fill out the form below and a skilled and knowledgeable Admissions Representative will get in touch to answer your questions and help with the application process.

Program Outcomes: The Right Skills to Improve Your Career

To deliver positive outcomes for students, Sacred Heart’s online master’s in clinical mental health counseling program is designed to:

  • Train Clinical Mental Health Counselors (CMHCs) to be ethical and competent clinicians with a strong counselor identity in accordance with American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) ethical standards and the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics, in order to prepare for careers as counseling professionals who advocate on behalf of the profession.
  • Train CMHCs to cultivate knowledge and self-awareness of socially, culturally and spiritually appropriate skills and practices in professional counseling that promote social justice and advocacy efforts while minimizing barriers between counselors and clients.
  • Train CMHCs in theories, etiology of human growth and development, relevant environmental factors and ethical strategies to promote optimum wellness for diverse clients across the lifespan.
  • Train CMHCs to apply career development theories, decision-making models and occupational information to develop strategies for supporting and advocating for clients in relation to their unique career development within a global economy.
  • Train CMHCs to understand and demonstrate essential and applicable counseling techniques and culturally relevant strategies as well as theories, models and skills for client consultation, treatment, intervention and prevention.
  • Train CMHCs to implement knowledge of therapeutically appropriate strategies for effectively forming and facilitating group counseling in a variety of settings.
  • Train CMHCs in ethical and appropriate intake, assessment, case conceptualization, diagnosis, treatment planning, documentation and clinical treatment to properly serve clients across multicultural perspectives.
  • Train CMHCs to evaluate and incorporate ethically and culturally relevant research findings when selecting strategies for prevention, intervention, treatment and program evaluation.
  • Train CMHCs to utilize community resources, referral sources and case management services in accordance with their role as clinical mental health counselors, including situations involving trauma, crisis or risk to client well-being.
  • Prepare future CMHCs to provide wellness- and holistic-based services to clients who seek help with everyday life concerns as well as those who struggle with significant emotional, cognitive, developmental and behavioral challenges.
  • Train CMHCs to cultivate and implement culturally relevant clinical skills and strategies for best practice through supervised practicum and internship experiences.
  • Train CMHCs in the specific and added educational requirements necessary for licensure that may be outlined by their intended state of licensure.

Guidance Beyond Graduation

More than 98 percent of Sacred Heart alumni are employed full-time or enrolled in graduate school within a year of graduation.

Our Center for Career & Professional Development provides support to help you find your next opportunity and continue to grow outside of class.

Handshake Access

Tap into our online recruiting system exclusively for Sacred Heart students, featuring job opportunities from 10,000-plus employers.

Career Coaching

Work one-on-one with a Sacred Heart career counselor to define your professional goals, practice for upcoming job interviews and more.

Extensive Network

Meet potential employers and connect with a network of 35,000-plus Sacred Heart alumni in person and on LinkedIn.

Résumé Workshops

Get your résumé, cover letter and LinkedIn profile critiqued by peers and career-development experts to stand out from your competition.

Sources:

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020 April 10). Substance Abuse, Behavior Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved April 10, 2020 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm.